Letea Forest

Letea Forest is a woodland in the Danube Delta, Romania, covering roughly 2825 hectares across dunes and clearings with white poplar, elm, oak, lime and ash trees. Small houses with blue shutters and reed walls stand between the trees, while open paths wind through groves and sandy stretches.

Romania declared this woodland its first nature reserve by Council of Ministers decision in 1938. Since that ruling the area has remained protected, and only controlled visits by horse cart have been allowed.

The name Letea comes from Turkish and means summer pasture, where shepherds once camped with their herds. Today residents guide travelers on cart rides through sandy trails and share stories about delta living over traditional meals.

Reaching the site requires a boat ride from Tulcea to Sulina, then continuing by horse cart, as motorized vehicles are banned. Forest trails are sandy and turn soft after rain, so sturdy footwear and patience help with the journey.

A tropical creeper called Periploca graeca grows here at its northernmost point in Europe. It drapes over branches and forms thick curtains between trunks, a plant otherwise found in warmer latitudes.